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Elf, Interrupted: Book Two: Glorfindel's Quest  by Fiondil

104: Consultation with Irmo

The welcoming feast went without any major upsets, much to everyone’s relief. It was obvious to all, seeing Vorondil attending to Finrod with solicitude, quietly seeing that his goblet was never empty and removing any unwanted dishes from his Master’s sight, that the ellon was beside himself with joy at being able to serve. Many, remembering the sullen uncooperative youth of the previous year, commented on the change for the better. They knew of his status, but seeing the genuine love between the ellon and their prince, they wondered if Vorondil was less a thrall in Findaráto’s eyes and more a loved younger brother.

The other elflings did their duties well and the only mishap was when Eruanna and Oromendil crashed into each other as one was heading back to the kitchens and the other was returning from there. Luckily, Oromendil was carrying empty platters and Eruanna was merely carrying hot towels to be given to the feasters at the high table between removes. The towels were quickly retrieved and sent back and Oromendil tried to comfort the little elleth who was feeling embarrassed. Finrod went to them both and spoke softly to them and soon they were both smiling and when the towels were ready again, both were seen carrying them to the tables.

During the feast the conversation centered around the events on Tol Eressëa and what they planned to do next.

"I must return to Vanyamar soon," Ingwion said, "and apprise Atar of all that has happened."

"And I will come to Vanyamar once I have seen to the affairs of my own kingdom," Arafinwë replied. "I need to speak with Ingwë and also Lord Manwë."

"How soon do you think it will be before anyone seeks us out, asking us to hold the council at mid-winter?" Finrod asked.

Arafinwë gave a shrug. "Hard to say, but I would think it will be soon or else there will be no time for setting it up and travel at that time will be chancy."

"Perhaps you could ask Lord Ulmo to keep the waters calm," Sador suggested with a smile.

There were chuckles all around. "And perhaps we can ask Lord Manwë to hold off with the snows until next winter as well," Ingwion retorted and they all laughed at that, knowing that winter might be delayed but not for that length of time.

"Perhaps holding a council at mid-winter was not a good idea after all," Finrod opined. "The weather could well be against us."

"Perhaps," Arafinwë agreed, "but to delay the council until the Spring might make things worse." Then he gave them a conspiratorial grin. "Besides, if the weather turns against us after all have assembled, they’ll have nowhere to go, so they might as well sit in comfort and talk, right?"

"Ah... I never thought of that," Finrod said with a grin. "Of course, they just may end up trying to kill one another if they are cooped up too long."

"A chance we will have to take," his atar replied.

"That’s all well and good, but we still do not know if there will even be a council, do we?" Amarië asked.

There were several nods, but Arafinwë smiled. "Oh, there will be a council all right. It may not be the council we originally envisioned but there will be one." When Finrod and the others pressed him to explain further, though, he merely shook his head, refusing to say more and the matter was dropped as other topics of interest were introduced.

"When do you return to Lórien?" Alassiel asked Finrod.

"It depends," he answered. "Atar may need me here for a time. We'll have to see, and yes, I will be taking the elflings and Vorondil with me."

"They’ve enjoyed their stay here," Eärwen interjected. "It was a delight to have younglings running around underfoot again. I will miss them."

"And I am sure they will miss you, Ammë," Finrod replied with a knowing grin, "and all the treats you gave them."

Everyone laughed and Finrod glanced behind him where Vorondil was standing and gave the ellon a wink. Vorondil grinned back, rubbing his stomach.

****

Ingwion decided to leave two days later along with Alassiel. Arafinwë announced that he would accompany them rather than coming later. "What administrative business that needs my attention can wait a while. I do not mean to be away long. At any rate, Sador and Amarië will be staying behind to help Eärwen so Findaráto, you are free to return to Lórien if you wish."

Finrod gathered the elflings and Vorondil along with Aldundil. He was very pleased with the progress Aldundil had made with the illuminations and felt it important that the ellon have access to the Reborn with whom he could consult about life in Beleriand as they remembered it to help give his illustrations more depth of realism. Thus, it was a larger party that left Tirion than originally expected, but it just made everything merrier. The children continued acting as pages, not just for Finrod, but for the others as well while Vorondil was asked to continue acting as Finrod’s squire.

"Though technically you are still too young," Finrod told the ellon. "However, I don’t think it really matters. If you’re not sure what your duties are, just ask Alassiel to help you."

"Do I still have to fold your tunics, Master?" Vorondil asked with a sigh.

Finrod grinned. "A squire’s work is never done," was all he said and Vorondil, catching the humor in his Master’s eyes, grinned back and nodded.

Finrod took a final leave from his betrothed as they wandered through the palace gardens alone. "I will miss you," he said.

"And I, you," Amarië answered. "Will you be attending the council if it is held?" He nodded. "Then I will see you there, for I have no doubt that your atar will want those of us who accompanied him and King Olwë on the Progress to attend."

Finrod nodded in agreement and then gave her a wistful look. "Do you think we made a mistake in delaying our wedding for so long?"

She smiled and shook her head. "No. I think it’s just right. So much has happened of late that trying to plan a wedding at this time would be difficult if not impossible. Best we wait until things are easier for us both." Finrod nodded and then stealing a glance around to see if they were truly alone, he bent down and gave his beloved a warm kiss which she returned with much enthusiasm. It was some time before they returned to the palace.

****

The trip was taken in easy stages, for no one was in a hurry. During that time discussions continued concerning Tol Eressëa but no firm conclusions were forthcoming. "It all hangs on what the Tol Eressëans do," Arafinwë finally said. "Until they act, our hands are bound."

When they reached Valmar three days later they rested one night before going on. Farewells were made as the two parties split. Finrod and his entourage continued on their way, arriving in Lórien late on the third day, the children nearly reeling with fatigue. They were met by Lord Irmo and Lady Estë, the Valië briskly taking the elflings and Vorondil in hand, leading them away to their beds while Irmo spoke with Finrod, Aldundil, Eärnur, Mithlas and Iorlas, as well as the three Reborn who had acted as guards during the Progress.

"Before you ask, Lasgalad is recovering quite nicely," the Vala said. "Marthchall and Gurthalion are settled in and already we are seeing improvement in Gurthalion’s mental state. I think he will be fully recovered, or as recovered as he is ever likely to be, before the winter solstice."

Finrod grinned. "I am glad to hear that," he said. "I will look in on them in the morning after I have broken my fast."

Irmo nodded, then turned to Iorlas with a smile, speaking in flawless Sindarin. "Iorlas, welcome to Lórien. Mithlas, with your permission, I will have Iorlas stay with you while he is here."

"I would like that, lord," Mithlas said with a bow and Iorlas looked relieved, knowing that he would not be alone in this strange and wondrous place.

Irmo then turned to Eärnur. "Well done, Eärnur. You handled things very well. I think you may be closer to achieving your mastership than we both expected."

Eärnur gave the Vala a surprised look. "But it’s too soon, isn’t it? I’ve been a journeyman for only about forty years or so."

The Vala gave a small shrug. "Normally, I would say yes, but the circumstances of the last year have proven, to me at least, that you have advanced in your abilities far more than is the norm. But, when I say soon I do not mean immediately. I suspect it will still be some years before you are fully ready, but if you continue to apply yourself as diligently as you have, I think that time will be sooner rather than later."

Finrod gave Eärnur a smile and a hug. "I think so as well," he said and Eärnur returned the smile with a shy one of his own.

Irmo then turned to Edrahil, Eregil and Celepharn, giving them a beatific smile. "You also did well, my children. I am well pleased with your progress. If I’m not mistaken, however, I think you are all glad to be back here in Lórien."

The three ellyn nodded. "Indeed, lord," Edrahil said. "I found the outside world to be just a bit too disturbing at times." He shook his head, giving the Vala a rueful look. "I never thought I would be glad to return here when all I wanted was to leave it."

Irmo nodded, chuckling. "You are welcome to remain as long as you need to," he said. "Would you like to return to your own pavilions or would you like to lodge together?"

The three ellyn gave each other quick glances and nodded between them. "I think we would like to lodge together, lord," Edrahil answered.

"Then that is what you will do," Irmo said. "I’ve already set aside a grove for you and your things have already been moved. Ingil will show you where. It’s not too far from Findaráto’s grove actually. Tomorrow, seek out Gwindor and tell him all that happened. He was most distraught that he could not accompany you and will welcome your tale."

The three ellyn thanked the Vala and Finrod told them to go on and he would see them in the morning. When they were gone he turned to Irmo. "Thank you," he said sincerely and the Lord of Lórien simply nodded, well aware of what the prince meant. "Well, it is late," Finrod continued, "and I think we would all like to have some supper and then retire."

Irmo nodded. "I will have something sent to your pavilion, Findaráto. The elflings and Vorondil have already eaten and are abed. I bid you all a good night."

They gave the Vala their obeisance and departed for Finrod’s grove where they found the elflings fast asleep in their own pavilion next to Finrod’s. Aldundil and Vorondil had a separate pavilion as well and, after checking on his son, Aldundil joined Finrod and the other three ellyn in the main pavilion to sup. They spoke little and only of inconsequential matters. As soon as they were done eating, the other four ellyn departed for their own beds, leaving Finrod to himself. He stayed up just long enough to finish his goblet of wine and then fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

****

The next morning after breakfast, Finrod visited Lasgalad, meeting Eärnur and Iorlas at the ellon’s grove. Mithlas had gone to check on his naneth and sister. The elflings were busy with their own duties and Vorondil was attending classes with the other apprentices. Aldundil was happily working on his illuminations, grateful for the peace and quiet now that his son and the other children were away for the day.

"How fare you, mellon nîn?" Finrod asked Lasgalad, who was looking much better than when they had last seen him.

The ellon smiled. "Much better, thank you," he said, then turned to Iorlas, sighing. "I regret that I was the cause of you leaving Ennorath. That you gave up so much for me...."

"I would do it again without hesitation," Iorlas assured him. "You are my friend, Lasgalad, but more than that we are gwedyr and I would not desert you. Ivorwen understood that. I would have had her sail with us, but she was not ready, yet I have hope that someday she will come."

"In the meantime, it behooves you both to find what happiness you may now that you are here," Finrod said. "We will help you in any way we can, if you will but let us." The two ellyn nodded. Finrod turned to Eärnur. "I am surprised that Laurendil and Manwen are not about. Have you seen aught of them?"

"Laurendil I saw earlier as he was on his way to attend a lecture," Eärnur said. "He said we should plan to sup with him and Manwen tonight at their grove so we may catch each other up on our news."

"That is well, then," Finrod said. "In the meantime, I want to look in on Marthchall and Gurthalion and then I must needs speak with Lord Irmo. Iorlas, why don’t you stay here and tell Lasgalad all that has happened. If you need anything, just call out. There’s always a Maia about who will come."

Iorlas nodded, though he did not look too happy. "I am not sure I will ever get used to having the Powers so close at hand. They were always... out there somewhere." He waved his hand in a random direction. "It’s going to take some time getting used to the idea that I can converse with them and the Maiar whenever I want."

Finrod gave the ellon a sympathetic smile. "I’m sure you will adjust. Just remember, they are eager to serve; we just have to ask. Now, I must go. I will stop by later to see how you are doing. Are you able to leave your bed yet, Lasgalad?" At the ellon’s nod, Finrod smiled. "Good. I would suggest then that you dress and the two of you wander about. Go where you please. The only place that is off limits to any is Lady Estë’s island. None go there save by her invitation."

The two ellyn nodded and Finrod and Eärnur departed. "I need to get back to my own duties as well," Eärnur said to Finrod as they walked down the sward leading towards the lake. "I was told that Marthchall and Gurthalion are in a session with Master Meneldil at the moment but they will be free by noon."

"Good," Finrod said. "I will go speak with Lord Irmo in the meantime. There is much we need to discuss. I will see you later, then?"

Eärnur nodded and with a cheery wave headed away to attend to his own duties while Finrod continued on toward the lake where he was unsurprised to find Lord Irmo waiting for him sitting under his gaudily painted pavilion. Finrod shook his head at the sight. Irmo grinned at his expression.

"It does take getting used to," the Vala said, "but I rather like it."

"It’s your pavilion, lord," Finrod said with a sly smile and a shrug and Irmo laughed, gesturing for the ellon to sit while he poured him some wine.

When Finrod was settled, the Lord of Lórien gave him a shrewd look. "Tell me," he said quietly.

For a long moment, Finrod did not speak and when he did he kept his eyes on his lap. "There was so much emotional pain on that island, I could barely stand it," he finally said in a soft pained voice. "I had a difficult time maintaining a cheerful mien most of the time. It was as if the entire island was screaming in pain." He shook his head and looked up, his expression troubled. "Is that how it feels to you?"

Irmo nodded. "Did any suspect?"

"I don’t think so," Finrod answered, "but there was a time or two when Glorfindel gave me an odd look."

Irmo smiled. "A most perceptive ellon, that one." His smile melted away and he became more solemn. "The Tol Eressëans have been in emotional pain for a very long time, so long, in fact, that many do not even recognize that they are even in pain."

"I still don’t understand why the Valar let it go on for so long," Finrod said, frowning.

"It was not an easy decision to make, I assure you," Irmo replied. "Some of us thought we should have acted sooner, but in truth we were waiting for you and Glorfindel to be released from my brother’s care."

Finrod gave the Vala a surprised look. "Why?"

"For many reasons, not the least of which is that you two tend to bring out the worst in people in a good way."

"Excuse me?"

Irmo chuckled at the disbelieving look the ellon gave him. "You and Glorfindel together and separately are catalysts. You cause things to happen even when you are not consciously doing anything yourself."

"I still do not understand how that has anything to do with Tol Eressëa," Finrod protested. "Do not forget that it was Laurendil and Gilvagor who approached us, not the other way around."

"I do not forget, child," Irmo said kindly. "They were the means by which we got you and Glorfindel on the island. The rest followed from that. Admittedly we had hoped you would go sooner than you did, but other events unforeseen intervened."

Finrod mulled the Vala’s words over in his mind as he took a sip of his wine. "So, our presence was necessary to force the Tol Eressëans to face their own pain?"

Irmo nodded, pleased that the ellon had caught on so quickly.

"But, why me?" Finrod continued. "Why Glorfindel?"

"You are both legendary," Irmo said. "Many of the Tol Eressëans never knew either of you in your previous lives, but they knew all about you. You are heroes from an earlier age and you are one of them. Arafinwë and Olwë are not and never will be. Your words will hold more weight among the Tol Eressëans than even those of Ingwë, for all that he is High King."

Finrod nodded in understanding. "So what are we to do?" he asked. "How do we even begin to heal these people? I have a number of Reborn friends there and I hate the idea that they are suffering emotional hurt because everyone else is."

"Your friends are doing well enough," Irmo told him. "Have no fear for them. In fact, they are the least affected by what has been going on simply because they are Reborn."

"How do you mean?"

"They, like you, have passed through the fire of Judgment, whether before Námo alone or before the entire assembly of the Valar, and have been cleansed of self-deceit and self-delusions. You noticed the prejudices that plague many of the Tol Eressëans?" Finrod nodded. "Did you also notice that none of the Reborn held any of those same prejudices?"

"Yes, I did," Finrod responded.

"That is because in their time in Mandos they learned to trust once again and that is what is lacking among many on the island, a sense of trust. It is that lack of trust which we must address and remedy if possible. Until we do, there is little that we can accomplish among them."

"Trust is a very fragile thing," Finrod said, "and I saw that compassion was lacking as well."

"Compassion is born of trust. Without trust, there can be no compassion. The people who shun the miners of Angobel, for instance, have no compassion for those poor souls because they cannot trust that we Valar would know if any of the former slaves were dangerous to the peace of our realm. They cannot trust that with Melkor gone these people cannot be a threat to them, indeed they never were. Those few elves who were suborned by Melkor died and are either safely in Mandos or they are among the Houseless who have no sway here."

"If you were to tell them that...."

Irmo shook his head. "They would not believe us, or rather, they would choose not to believe us because to do so would force them to re-examine their own prejudices and that is something they do not want to do."

"Then it’s hopeless," Finrod exclaimed with a shake of his head. "If they will not believe even the Valar they are not going to believe me or anyone else."

"That is true," Irmo averred, "but we must at least try, or you must. Those who are in positions of leadership among the Tol Eressëans need to be convinced. Once that happens, the rest will follow."

"And not all those in leadership roles are distrustful," Finrod acknowledged with a thoughtful look. "People like Dúlinn and Thorongorn and Lady Meril, for instance."

"And others as well," Irmo said. "These are the ones you must work with. These are the ones who will be instrumental in effecting change in the attitudes of others. And there are the common people themselves, people like Ailinwë and your Reborn friends. They must be examples for others to see and you have the unenviable task of seeing that these people are the ones who bring about change. There will always be those who are resistant to change even for the better. They must be isolated and made ineffective so that change can come."

"Are any of our people on the island?" Finrod asked.

"You mean other Fëanturnildi?" Finrod nodded, but Irmo just shook his head. "No, at least, not yet. Someday there may be but for the moment you are it."

"So where do I even start?" Finrod demanded.

"You start by keeping in contact with your friends on Tol Eressëa, both the Reborn and those whom you met along the way, such as Thorongorn, Meril, Dúlinn and Ailinwë, as well as the miners of Angobel and the Nandor. The Reborn, the miners and the Nandor are the key. They are the outcasts of Tol Eressëan society, the miners for obvious reasons, the Nandor for their isolationist stance and the Reborn for having the temerity of dying."

Finrod gave him a wry grin. "Well, I can certainly relate to the last."

Irmo rewarded him with a brilliant smile. "Indeed."

Placing his empty goblet on the table, Finrod sighed. "It seems impossible and Anatar publicly walking out on the council of Kortirion did not help matters."

"Perhaps not," Irmo said sympathetically, "but it is as it is and we must all deal with the consequences."

"Even the Valar?" Finrod enquired with a skeptical look.

"Especially the Valar, child," Irmo replied solemnly. "More is at stake than any of you realize or wish to admit. But enough," he added briskly. "No decisions or actions need be made this day. Go and reacquaint yourself with your friends here. Meneldil is about finished with Gurthalion and Marthchall. You will find them in their grove which is situated next to Laurendil’s."

Finrod rose and gave the Vala his obeisance. "I will wait until I hear from Atar after he has consulted with Uncle Ingwë and Lord Manwë. Perhaps in that time the Tol Eressëans, or at least some of them, may have made their own decisions about things."

"You may be correct, so it is better to wait and see for now," Irmo averred, nodding in dismissal.

Finrod strode away and it was only after he disappeared around a bend of trees that Estë and Námo joined Irmo in the pavilion. Irmo gave his brother a wry look. "He’s not happy with what is going on," he said.

"None of us are," Námo said with equanimity. "And with Glorfindel effectively out of the picture for now his influence on others will be halved."

"Perhaps we should have... um... convinced Glorfindel to stay," Estë suggested, though the glint of humor in her eyes alerted the other two that she was not entirely serious.

"There will be a time when Glorfindel will not be here for real," Námo said. "Finrod needs to learn to deal with that now. I know he pined for Glorfindel all those years and he thinks that now that they are both reborn, nothing will truly separate them again, but we all know that is not true. Best that he starts getting used to the idea."

"You have to admit, though, that they make a formidable pair," Irmo said.

"Indeed," Námo retorted with a sour grin. "They are a menace to Amanian civilization as we know it and the bane of my existence."

Irmo and Estë started laughing, knowing full well that Námo was only jesting. Soon the Lord of Mandos was joining them.

****

Fëanturnildi: (Quenya) Friends of the Fëanturi, i.e. Námo and Irmo.





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